Why Don't Positive Charges from a Pith Ball Move to a Negatively Charged Rod?

In summary, a pith ball is a small, lightweight ball made of pith that works through the principles of electrostatics. It is often used in scientific experiments to demonstrate the effects of electric charge and to measure the strength of an electric field. It can be charged by any object with an electric charge and can be discharged by touching it with a conductor.
  • #1
BlackMelon
45
7
Hello guys,

I'm curious in this phenomena: http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/documents/492_01.pdf. In the second case, why don't the positive charges from pit ball move to the rod which is full of negative charges. If this happened, we would get a neutral rod and a negative pith ball... But why didn't??

Thank you
 
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  • #2
This looks like a homework assignment so the question would be why do think it won't happen?

What are negative charges in this case? And what are positive charges? Perhaps that will give you a clue as to why things happen one way and not another.
 

FAQ: Why Don't Positive Charges from a Pith Ball Move to a Negatively Charged Rod?

What is a pith ball?

A pith ball is a small, lightweight ball made of pith, a spongy material found inside the stems of certain plants.

How does a pith ball work?

A pith ball works by utilizing the principles of electrostatics. When brought near a charged object, the pith ball will become polarized and either attract or repel depending on the charge of the object.

What is the significance of a pith ball in scientific experiments?

Pith balls are often used in electrostatics experiments to demonstrate the effects of electric charge and to measure the strength of an electric field. They are also commonly used in classroom demonstrations to teach students about electrostatics.

Can a pith ball be charged by any type of object?

Yes, a pith ball can be charged by any object that has an electric charge, whether it is positive or negative. It will be attracted to objects with opposite charges and repelled by objects with the same charge.

How can a pith ball be discharged?

A pith ball can be discharged by touching it with a conductor, such as a metal object or the human hand. This allows the excess charge to flow away, leaving the pith ball neutral.

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